Cheap Amazon T5 Aquarium Light 1-Year Update
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Amazon affiliate link: amzn.to/2Imee9b
#tidalgardens #t5light #ati #reeflighting
Music:
Tracks: “Professor Umlat” "Dirt Rhodes"
Artist: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License Terms:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
Video:
Canon C200
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro
Canon EF MP-E 65mm f/2.8 macro
Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8
Free Fly Movi Pro Stabilizer
Kessler Crane Motorized Slider
Copyright Information:
This video was shot and edited by Tidal Gardens. Tidal Gardens owns all intellectual property rights to this content.
It's been 12 months and these fixtures do NOT suck. Amazon link is in the description.
Thanks for this video I'm going to try this fixture is there a certain amount of time you run your lights
Hi there i saw your video and i'm wondering if a 2ft 4 bulb t5 is enough for my 3ft lagoon...
The aquarium has 35" x 19" x 14"
If its good enough for Than, its good enough for me.
Your truthfulness is refreshing. Thanks Than!
Next week on brs investigates. Cheap t5, are they unreliable, do they produce the colors you want, do we actually trust these to not burn our house down. Haha I could see it now.
Thanks for the video.
thehitmanisup unless it's a T5 fixture that they sell, then hands down it's better than any other fixture out there
I just wanted to add that I also use these lights. I own 2 of the 4 ft 8 bulb units. I’ve had them for over 2 years on my grow out tanks. They have been flawless and I must say I’ve been quite surprised by that. I shook my head in agreement when you said the bulbs cost more than the fixture.... truth . 😊
Awesome update Than, this is actually what I use on a 50g SPS dominant reef in my home, $100 fixture (8 x 24w T5). Thanks for keeping us informed.
Was hoping you’d update us on this! Thanks for the info, looking forward to more product reviews in the future.
great little anecdotal share. I bought a basic Home Depot t5 fixture just for the purpose of burning in bulbs for the 50 hours ati recommends, these are a step above that for just a little more money but also include a reflector.
Awesome video Than and I do enjoy these types of videos. Your production quality is on a next level. Thank you for the hard work.
Thanks Scott, I appreciate it.
Always enjoy listening to how you're set up.
The bulbs are expensive...but corals love, love, love that wide spread and the way it reflects off sides and bottom of the tank
I purchased a similar one you have with the ballast problem, Mine was dead on arrival, so i called them up, they sent me a brand new one with a very simple process. Told me to do whatever with the bad one.
Aside from that, this one seems to work just fine. Hydroplanet is the brand. haven't used it long enough to recommend but i like it so far!
Ours have been running this whole time. A couple had faulty ballasts, but they were running for years before there were problems. They are not high quality but they are really cheap.
That atinic that you talked about that’s dull to you brings out the colors in corals. Sometimes also about the bulb you have to wiggle is an easy fix sometimes it’s the bulb it’s self as well.
Can please re do these video topic? Ill be great to see what you finally choose and do. By the way, u r such a nice guy
I was just thinking about this last week. Thank you.
Nice update , looking to mixes up my lights a bit , thanks for the info!!!👍
Good feedback we really appreciate it
Hi Than, You mentioned that the greenhouse collects a higher amount of condensation than usual on colder days. What are you doing in your new build to address this issue? Will the structure be insulated and treated with any special processes to accommodate moisture conditions or improve the performance to favor the environment for corals? I am very curious about how humidity is maintained if at all and with an aquatic space, what different materials are being used. I'd love to see an update that mentions this.
excellent video Than. I keep thinking about all the new coral you are going to be able to grow that never did well in the greenhouse over the years. 👍👍
Never thought I would see TG go LED, especially name brand on this scale. I would love to see your cost break down for so many units up front versus bulb replacement for the T5.
I can't wait to visit!! I'm in Columbus!
Thank you very much I’ve been going crazy trying to figure out what to put above my new 2 foot by 4 foot frag tank
Can u please do a video on your filtration and plumbing. Would love to see you go in-depth on your stands I see they’re made of brick! What’s supporting the tanks length. Love how simple this is. Please go over it when u have time thx!
Great update on the lights 👍 will be good to see what you pick lighting wise for the new building and how corals colour up differently if you do go led. Good luck with it all.
Thanks for sharing! Good looking outfit too!
Regarding the light situation and options for the new building...I am a true believer that if it ain't broke....you know the rest ; )
No doubt T5 will work, I'm just hoping there will be a better option when the time comes :)
great video! and also a couple summers ago on the hottest day of the year we had a power shortage, not an outage but from what I heard there was a shortage I guess on power because everyone was using their AC because it was so hot , and I had weird things start going on with my electrical, My AC would not even turn on , I had to keep trying it and it eventually came on but did not sound right and would not run on high , and the power supply for my chiller on my 55gal mixed reef fried, also few other things like lights in certain rooms not working , so I bet when you had the power outage it fried your ballast. I was lucky and my chiller was less than a year old and was covered under warranty
The worst isn't a black out but a brown out where stuff just runs at half power. It's horrible on pumps and motors and it broke a lot of our equipment when it happened a long time ago. If we had a regular black out, the generator would kick on, but in a brown out, the generator senses power still so it doesn't activate :(
Good information, have not tried them yet in my reef tanks. Running kessil on my Fusion and cheaper LEDs on my other tanks. I think when I add a larger tank I'll try T5.
#BestDressedAquarist You're the man Than
You can buy the led t5's bulbs, or you can use induction lighting for twice the lifespan of leds with no degradation.
Great video. Thank you.
If you're looking for natural sunlight in certain areas of the new grow house look at solar tubes. A lot of government installations are using them to light cubicle areas now because they are proven to drive vitamin D3 downward from the roof. It's 100% free after install and your corals will feel the natural progression of the sun. Food for thought.
Can we get a slow pan walk around video of the frag tanks?
Great update on the amazon T5 fixtures. I have one on my frag system and it works well for me also. FYI Amazon’s cost to ship those lights is about $5-$7 UPS. I sell some products on Amazon so I have a pretty good idea. My boxes are smaller but I have one package that’s 30” x 24” x 14” and my price is $4.88 from Amazon warehouse with Prime.
I'm sure Amazon is getting the most favorable discount rate imaginable.
The cost you see as a seller is not the real cost. Amazon's cost is actually much higher (but still well below retail or a rate a medium sized business could negotiate). Your 15% selling fee actually covers alot of the shipping and is not pure profit for Amazon as most people think.
Ash S thanks for the information
I agree with the lifetime for bulbs 12 months, Of course the manufacturer will advise you to change more often bulbs they wants to make money. I even kept it for longer than one a year and everything was fine.
I think the longest I've ever gone without changing lights was something like 3 years. They were super dull and dim. I should have changed them long ago because when I finally did, the difference was unbelievable.
there also hobbyist who say you have to replace LED's even though they have no proof and just make it up as they go.
Great update
"guys they are a 100 bucks", LOL that is so great.
Love the Jayoe segments u filmed
Thanks! I can't take any credit for Matt's shooting. He shot so much footage while he was here and the editing was out of this world.
Thanks for sharing Than
8:50 awesome photoghraghy ,
nice suit dude
Good Stuff, they work and do the job well
Great Video!!!!!
I had purchased the same 6 bulb T5 light and scraped the AI prime units. I just could not get the growth on the SPS and the LPS in either of my tank systems. I think LED still has a ways to go before I try LED again. First gen AI Prime and Marsaqua LED were used for 2 years. I fully back to T5 again. ALSO using ATI
Awesome info Than.
Thanks Billy!
It would be interesting to see someone do an in depth analysis of the cheap LED fixtures on amazon. I've been using them myself for a couple of months and I can't say I have enough experience to really compare them to anything but in general I've heard that they can grow corals pretty well.
I think the bulbs matter a lot more than the fixture powering them. I would expect any of the top tier T5 manufacturers' bulbs would work great. I've only tried the ATI bulbs and like them a lot.
You mean the black box led's? BRS did an in depth review on them.
Yeah I've actually seen that video. I mean like an in depth review over time about how they actually grow corals compared to other LEDs. Like a 12 month update style video, like this one.
Giesemann Aurora, If we're spending money anyways... best of both worlds.
Great video. I also use a mix from blue plus and coral plus.
It's a very attractive combination. I also like the AB Special for a more daylight look. Have you tried that bulb yet?
Tidal Gardens Inc. No I haven't. Is it also ATI?
Well lol. I can Google it. 😉😉
Yes. ATI Aquablue Special.
Thank you Than ! I will check it out. Dunno if I need them because I also run Led's
You can buy ballasts at home depot and it is cheaper to replace it than buying a new fixture
Thanks Than, your video quality puts the rest to shame. "Tidal Gardens, growing the standards" ;)
Thank you Stephen!
I've just been in this hobby about one year now I've probably watched every video you have twice! I definitely really appreciate all the effort you put into these. Would you reccomend the 4 bulb version of this? I seem to be struggling getting corals to grow with my current t5 setup (2 separate t5 fixtures resting on top of my 75 gallon) total 4 bulbs. Thanks again!
A 4 bulb fixture will absolutely work fine assuming you use good bulbs like ATI or Giesmann. If you are still having issues I would look at other aspects of your tank rather than lighting.
Hey Than keep an eye on the Orphek led BRS did a video on it look like there the way to go check them out
I did catch that video the other day. One local hobbyist here has the V3 Atlantik over his frag tank and is very satisfied with the coloration of his corals. I didn't like what it looked like for photography, but maybe the V4 is better for that. It is certainly an option though, I just haven't seen the fixture in person yet.
Hi Than thanks for all the great vids!!!!!! im currently using a combo of Kessil A360's and cheap T5's.Added the T5's at Christmas and definitely seen improvements. Hearing what you said about changing light hours through seasons making such a huge difference made me wonder what your light hours are for your lights? Thanks again for all the great vids. They have really helped while getting started in the hobby. Cheers! Owen
Thanks Owen, I run them about 6 hours.
Tidal Gardens Inc. Wow that's a lot shorter than I expected. Is that because you get longer light hours from natural light also? And use the T5's during the middle of the day? Or keep it short to minimise algae growth?
I learned over the years that you don't need really long photo periods. As little as 4-5 hours is enough.
Hi Than, What is your lighting schedule like on the T5's?
Bout damn time you updated us! Lol
Put some photovoltaic panels on your roof and still utilize the natural sunlight for your corals!
I will be taking a hard look at solar in the next year or two.
Do you really turn on each fixture by hand daily instead of using a timer? Always great info sir, thanks for sharing friend.
Coolllll!!!
For your large scale project, I would assume LED would be much better long term in relation to heat, electricity and time spent maintaining the T5s etc. Also if most people now have led lights in their home, it would be better if they received corals already acclimated to LED rather than the strain of shipment, then adjusting to a new reef system in someones home as well as new lighting fortmat.
Ideally a LED / T5 (two bulb) hybrid fixture would be best Im guessing. Best of both worlds : )
Plenty of folks here have beautiful tanks with LEDs but in the back of my mind I wonder if the colors would look better with T5. Regardless, in the new system the heat and electrical consumption of T5 might be a deal breaker right off the bat.
Tidal Gardens Inc. True. You would have to do side by side tank comparisons of led and t5 to find ur true 'colour centre' : )
Ps have you tried the e5 led t5 bulbs. Could be a solution to heat and longevity of the bulbs. Prob one day the led fixtures will all have diffusers to make them give out light similar to t5 fixtures.
If it’s not broken don’t fix it… I like your set up… .companies just trying to make money so just do what works I’m about to order one of those right now … thx
Would it be better to add a ati ballest to them? You should do another test and use a par meter to see a difference between the ballast themselves
Try the amazon leds! THEY ROCK
That's interesting. I never even thought to look at that.
Tidal Gardens Inc. viparspectra 300 watts put out tons of par and are 79 bucks...i think they use less electricity than t5s too
only commenting to help channel :)
-fellow Ohioan
OH!
Tidal Gardens Inc. what combination do you prefer in a four bulb fixture? i use 2x 10k and 2x actinic blue
Two ATI Blue Plus, and two ATI Coral Plus.
I O
Please. What size would you recommend for a 36” L 18” wide 18” deep tank. I’m think 12” 14” high from water. What do you think for size. Love your videos will 100% be ordering corals from you.
You could go a lot of different directions depending on what you want to keep. A low end fixture would be an inexpensive 36" T5: amzn.to/392slxk A high end fixture would be something like an Ecotech Radion light: amzn.to/2Qs6o4k
Tidal Gardens so I can’t use a 24” 4 bulb over a mixed 40 Breeder?? Please I trust your advice
Than: How high are your fixtures mounted above the tanks and what kind of PAR values are you obtaing with said height?
If you had to choose a 4 bulb combo for growth and eye appeal, what would it be?
The ones in the video are Vivosun 4ft T5 HO on Amazon. The Affiliate link are different ones? Can you make an affiliate link for the Vivosun that are in the video?
Ballasts are super easy to replace my guy. It's like 6 wires.
Holy crap I just realized I live 20 minutes away from here lol
What tipe LED fixture you recommend,what is the best ?
Power problems cause problems for cheap electronics. Good quality ballast are not expensive and the reliability much improved. So better light fixtures for a little more cash.
What are some good quality ballasts?
Fulham's are real good. this one would fire up to 4 54w bulbs. A lot of the performance from bulbs is #1 ballasts, bulbs, and reflectors. If those three are decent then you have a good reliable lamp. I bet those lamps that are dead are because of the cheap ballasts they must use to make the fixtures. 40$ to upgrade the fixture to make it a really good fixture, not too bad?
www.amazon.com/Fulham-T5-HO-Workhorse-Volt/dp/B000WCQY92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522770860&sr=8-1&keywords=t5+ballast+fulham
Fulham workhorse 7 for up two 4 bulb 54watt. ~40$ or less
....there’s a video I like to watch where it looks like a yellow tang is going to swim up behind you, and eat your hair, but I can’t remember which one it is...
Hello Than. Did you check par reading from the 4 bulb fixture by any chance? I have a 4 fixture with ati two coral plus and two blue plus the tank looks like its full of really bright light. I was wondering if its enough to keep acropora?
Definitely is.
Which are the corals that have performed best in the natural sunlit conditions?
Lots of soft corals such as leathers and xenia. Also gorgonians.
if decision was on me - I would go with cheap T5 fixtures in new building simply because you already spent a lot on the building it self and you will need a lot more on stuf like tanks, etc... next summer, if heat will be an issue - maybe upgrade to hybrid or pure led.
p.s. do you plan to fire up all the tanks at once or in stages?
I will probably start with one set of tanks first.
Will you be using solar power for the new building? They are in use alot up here in Oregon where it is cloudy and rain 9 months of the year so if they work here I imagine they would work everywhere.
While it is fairly cloudy here, the biggest hurdle is the payback period because we have very inexpensive electric in this region. I would love to do solar here, but unless something changes with how little electric costs, I don't see it happening.
Why is it only 4ft? 🙁
Got a 5ft reef tank. Could the 4ft light be good enough?
Question: Do you run chillers for the summer heat or have a temperature control system for the greenhouse?
I don't run chillers but we have to do a number of things to control heat in the summer.
You didn’t touch up on the other fixture with the hammer tone reflector. Did you find that it wasn’t as good or about the same?
Those are all doing fine
What do you use for electrical protection on your equipment ,as you said it pretty much rains in there , just curious as im always nervous when messing around my tank as theres water and wires everywhere.
We cover a lot of it with plastic when possible.
Hello!
Can you keep sps under these light in a home aquarium or would you opt for an ati fixture i am looking for 48 inch 6 BULB t5 for a 75 gallon tank i am building. By the way your videos have helped a lot in my reefing career!
You can definitely keep SPS under a 6 bulb unit.
Tidal Gardens Inc. thank you for the knowledge it is invaluable!
@@tidalgardens what about a 4 bulbs fixture for sps on 55 gallon tank?
Are you going to tear down the greenhouse when you are all the way into the new building or are you getting into the tomato business?
I won't be tearing down the greenhouse. There are plenty of corals that do really well out there and the stocking of the greenhouse tanks will be more catered to them.
Thanks for the video, very informative and well thought out. I am very curious as to which types of corals do well in natural light. Is it specific groups, like all soft corals, no hard corals, or general groups, like mushrooms versus acropora, or even very specific like individual species?
Than I notice you have a lot of Fox Faces in your tanks. Is there any reason you prefer these over a tang especially within aquaculture since they are venomous?
I like their temperament and their ability to really go after algae. I think tangs are altogether too aggressive once they get established. Also, foxfaces do a better job on macro algae than any tang I have ever owned especially on really problematic macro algae such as Valonia.
Whatever happened with these lights? Do you still have them? Can we get another update?
They are still running, but some are starting to fizzle out.
@@tidalgardens that's awesome.. I'm trying to add some t5s to supplement for my LEDs due to shadowing. Was gonna go with the Let Lighting retrofit. Do you think that going with one of those fixtures would be equivalent?
So would the 4ft fixture be ok for a 6ft tank if I got the 6 bulb fixture
The ends of the tank are significantly darker but you can do it.
@@tidalgardens thanks I really appreciate you taking the to give me some advice.
I've watched this video a lot of times. For me these fixtures are still too expensive as I dont live in the US. I ended up building my own fixture which is pretty good.
Go with LED. You know you want to and your wallet will too when you get that electric bill. Plus you are what some consider a lazy reefer and being able to set LED's and leave em for 3 years is ideal lol.
Oh yeah. Once I set lights I never change them.
Ecotech or Orphek atlantik v4 LED's
Those are two very strong contestants.
The reason that Amazon can ship them to you so cheap is that the USPS has been used to subsidize their shipping. That means taxpayers pay to ship their product, not the company.
I think when these were delivered, they came FedEx Express. We get a lot of shipments here, but I remember the driver knew to take them back to the greenhouse. They might have changed their shipping since then because now I notice they are no longer 2-day PRIME. They are just free PRIME shipping.
That is false. Amazon will use Fedex, UPS or their own flex drivers to deliver fixtures this large. The reason they can deliver so cheap is they spread the items around their hundreds of warehouses (and growing exponentially) and they then truck the items to the closest hub themselves. Only then do they hand off to Fedex, UPS or their own flex delivery drivers. They will use USPS for small boxes or bubble mailers only but get no subsidy. Also these fixtures are sold by third party sellers so they are the ones that subsidize the cost through the 15% sales fee not the taxpayer. Lastly Amazon uses their retail operation as a loss leader. They make money on subscriptions and their massively profitable cloud services.
Than, are you selling any of your old LED fixtures? Or maybe donating them, to not only a fellow reefer. But a fellow Asian
Most of them have long since been sold off. Sorry!
Tidal Gardens Inc. Tanks look great!
wow what a poor attempt at a freebe.
What does being Asian have to do with anything? Mr "Friedrich" lol.
chip turd you're a poor excuse
electronic timers than
lol
I don't use them because sometimes the humidity in the greenhouse messes with the electric in the greenhouse so when I turn on the lights it immediately pops a breaker thus shutting off the pumps :/ So for now anyway it's all manual!
guys, listen!!!!! honestly, for all those equipments in this hobby，there are not much so call "technology", so why spent more? wake up man!
Slave labor.